The Chargers announced Friday afternoon that quarterback Justin Herbert is not on the injury report going into Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans. That is good news, especially after the hit he took two weeks ago against Kansas City.
Herbert was very limited in practice last week but bounced back this week. He was limited on Wednesday but didn’t throw. He did throw on Thursday and was a full participant.
“I’ve done my best to get in recovery treatment, do everything I can to feel my best,” Herbert said. “So, time is the best help, and it’s been nice over the past couple of days.”
The Chargers star quarterback is coming off a rough game in which he was learning on the fly and seeing what worked and didn’t against the Jaguars.
“That’s the tough part,” Herbert explained. “Having to play with an injury like that, you have to go through it and learn about it. I had never experienced anything like that during the game. So, having to play through that and kind of figure it out. Obviously, it was a really tough loss for us didn’t play the way that we needed to. A good learning moment.”
So, Herbert will start on Sunday.
Receiver Keenan Allen looked like he was on pace to return on Sunday, but he left Thursday’s practice early and didn’t return. He is out for Sunday with the hamstring injury that will keep him out of his third straight game.
“Just going to make sure that he keeps making progress,” Staley said about Allen. “I just don’t want to push it where you have a significant setback of a major injury. So, he couldn’t make it this week and next week, give it another shot.”
A surprise on Friday was that cornerback JC Jackson was taken off the injury report and is ready to go this weekend. Jackson has only played in the Kansas City game, where he played well and gave the rest of the secondary more freedom.
“Full speed, really good,” Staley said. “Excited to see him compete.”
Center Corey Linsley has been missed in his absence dealing with a knee injury. He missed the second half against Kansas City and full Jacksonville game. The offensive line has struggled, but according to Staley, Friday was a rest day for him after practicing hard on Thursday.
“My expectation is for him to start the game on Sunday,” Staley said.
One player who hasn’t suited up this season is tight end Donald Parham Jr. He has been dealing with a hamstring injury since training camp. He is questionable heading into Sunday, but Staley said they will hold him out for the fourth straight game.
“I think it’s really important that you’re in good enough game shape,” Staley said. “You may be healthy enough but making sure you’re in good enough football condition. So, we’re going to shoot for next week.”
